Erdogan calls Trump, Iran in talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for diplomatic talks to continue to reduce the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. He made the call during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 18).

Erdogan told Trump that diplomacy should be given top priority to deescalating Iran-US tensions, the Turkish presidential office said in a statement. He also expressed hope that talks between the two sides will move forward again and that Turkey's efforts to establish peace will continue.

Turkey, a country bordering Iran, has the second largest army in NATO. Since the start of the war, the country has been calling for an end to the conflict. Turkey is also in regular contact with the United States, Iran and mediating countries such as Pakistan and Qatar.

Ahead of the phone call between Erdogan and Trump, a senior Iranian official said on Monday that Iran is now preparing to move to a "full offensive" military posture as talks to permanently end the war have stalled. On the other hand, Washington has also said that it is not willing to extend the temporary ceasefire.

Meanwhile, efforts to normalize oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have also stalled. Turkey has been calling for the rapid reopening of this important energy transportation route in the world.

Turkey has criticized the US and Israel's attacks on Iran. At the same time, the country has also condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf countries.

On Monday, Turkey's foreign minister discussed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the continuation of the ceasefire with his Iranian counterpart.

In the phone call, Erdogan and Trump also discussed bilateral relations, the Gaza war and the defense agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The Turkish president described the agreement as a symbol of a "strong stance" for regional stability and security.

Erdogan also said that although the second phase of Trump's announced Gaza peace plan was supposed to take effect, Israeli attacks on Palestinians had increased.